fig2

Figure 2. The tracheal blood supply is segmental.^[12] Branches from the inferior thyroid, subclavian, internal thoracic, innominate, superior and middle bronchial arteries form two lateral longitudinal anastomoses to supply the anterolateral trachea. These anastomoses give off transverse branches, which penetrate through the intercartilaginous ligaments to feed the submucosal capillary plexus. Cartilage is nourished via diffusion from this plexus. The posterior membranous trachea has an independent vascular supply derived from the oesophageal branches of the above-mentioned large neck vessels